Study Finds Gun Violence in PG-13 Movies Has More than Tripled Since 1985

A study set to appear in the December issue of the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics finds that, since 1985, gun violence has more than tripled in PG-13 movies, which are considered appropriate for children 13 and older.

The PG-13 rating was created in 1984 in response to parents’ concerns that movies like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, while not deserving of an R rating, contained too much violence for the family friendly PG rating. Yet now, according to the new study by the Annenberg Public Policy Center and Ohio State University, the amount of gun violence in the top-grossing PG-13 movies of 2012 exceeded that of the year’s top-grossing R rated movies. Think about that.

Titled "Gun Violence Trends in Movies,” the study finds that PG-13 movies have contained progressively more gun violence since 1985, the first full year the rating was in use. It also notes a more than 100% increase in violence in top-grossing movies across all rating categories since 1950. "'Because of the increasing popularity of PG-13 films, youth are exposed to considerable gun violence in movie scripts," the researchers said in the study. 'The mere presence of guns in these films may increase the aggressive behavior of youth.'"

While the suggestion of a link between viewing violent entertainment and committing violent acts will no doubt stir up strong arguments on both sides, the inescapable conclusion is no less disturbing: The MPAA finds the swear words and hints of sexuality in 2012’s Safety Not Guaranteed more unsuitable for children than the massive body counts in movies like Skyfall and Jack Reacher.

The MPAA’s website explains, “There may be depictions of violence in a PG-13 movie, but generally not both realistic and extreme or persistent violence.” So Taken 2’s violence must not have been realistic or persistent enough, even though Liam Neeson kills half of Istanbul in his quest to free his family. At least we know there isn't more than one f-bomb or any “sexually oriented” nudity, either of which would immediately subject the film to R classification. I think we can all rest easier knowing our children won’t have their innocence destroyed by the sight of boobs amid otherwise wholesome depictions of brutal mass killings.